What Happens if a Drunk Driver Hits Your Car

The crash itself may last only a moment, but the consequences can follow you for years. A drunk driver may walk away, but you may be left with injuries that change how you work, sleep, or move. You may face long-term medical care, reduced income, and a future that suddenly looks very different from what you planned. Even simple tasks may become harder, especially when you are also dealing with insurance calls, forms, and pressure to settle quickly. This is the reality many people face after a drunk driver hits their car, and understanding your rights is a key step in protecting your future.

How a New Orleans Car Accident Lawyer Can Help, First Handling the Investigation and Evidence

A drunk driving crash in New Orleans often involves complicated evidence. Whether the collision happened near the Superdome, on the I-10, along Airline Drive, or in a narrow neighborhood street like the Marigny or Bywater, the details matter. A car accident lawyer can gather police reports, witness statements, traffic camera footage, nearby business surveillance, and toxicology results to show the full extent of the other driver’s impairment. This type of evidence strengthens your claim and helps demonstrate the seriousness of the harm you suffered.

Managing Insurance Companies for You

Insurance companies often try to resolve drunk driving cases quickly with low settlements. They may offer a number before anyone understands the long-term medical needs, the time away from work, or the lasting physical limitations you may face. A lawyer can handle all communication, push back against unfair offers, and make sure no one pressures you into settling before the full picture is known.

Calculating Long-Term Losses

Many injuries from drunk driving crashes create lasting challenges. You may require ongoing treatment, physical therapy, surgery, or continued pain management. A lawyer can document future medical needs, lost earning capacity, and permanent limitations. In certain cases, Louisiana law may also allow punitive damages if the conduct was reckless enough. Identifying every source of compensation helps ensure you are not left shouldering these costs alone.

Guiding You Through the Local Legal Process

Drunk driving claims in New Orleans move through specific local courts and follow Louisiana’s unique legal rules. A lawyer who works these cases regularly understands what evidence matters most, how insurers approach impaired driving claims, and how to build a case that holds up when fault is disputed. This guidance helps you stay grounded during a difficult process.

Immediate Steps to Take After the Accident

Safety must come first. Call 911 and move to a safe place if you are able. Even if your injuries seem mild, medical care is important. Many injuries from drunk driving crashes appear gradually, and early medical records help link your symptoms to the collision.

Document what you can. Photos of the vehicles, visible injuries, and surrounding area can help support your claim. Witness contact information is also useful, especially when impairment is involved. Exchange information with the other driver, but keep the conversation limited and let law enforcement handle signs of intoxication.

Understanding Your Legal Rights

A police report is required for any crash involving injury, death, or significant property damage. Reporting the driver’s behavior, including slurred speech or unsteady movement, helps create a documented record of impairment.

As a victim, you may seek compensation for medical bills, time away from work, physical pain, emotional distress, and property damage. Louisiana law allows you to pursue full damages directly from the impaired driver, and a lawyer can help you present your losses clearly and effectively.

Why Work with a New Orleans Car Accident Lawyer

Drunk driving cases involve higher stakes because the harm is often serious and life-changing. A lawyer can confront the insurance company, ensure your injuries are fully evaluated, and pursue every form of compensation available. If the insurer does not make a fair offer, your lawyer can take the case to court and advocate for the outcome you deserve.

Get Help After a Drunk Driving Accident from Irpino Avin & Hawkins

If a drunk driver hit your car, you deserve support that matches the seriousness of what you are facing. Irpino Avin & Hawkins is ready to guide you, protect your rights, and fight for the compensation you need for long-term recovery. Contact us today to discuss your case and learn how we can help.